[s-cars] Rear suspension ?strut bearing?

[Bob Rossato]

The part number you got from Rod is a bearing for the front struts.  It's
not used in the rear.  The part that you list for the rear, 441 512 331, is
the correct part number as best I can tell, but I don't have a US version of
ETKA loaded so I can't confirm it.  It is possible that the US cars have a
variation of that so if you really wanted to change it you'll have to stop
by your local dealer and get the number.  In either case, it is not a
"bearing" in the traditional sense with ball bearings since there is no
rotation going on there.  It is just a big rubber mount with a bushing in
the middle.  I wouldn't sweat it as it's not the source of your noise.  The
squeaking you're getting is from the upper control arm.  They're about $130.
Mine's doing the same thing.  Though it seems to go away for a while and
then come back.

Bob


> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-admin at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-admin at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Ron Kirkham
> Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 2:07 PM
> To: S-Cars Web Ring (E-mail)
> Subject: [s-cars] Rear suspension ?strut bearing?
>
>
> Hey all,
>
> Man I need a current ETKA!
>
> Looking for a part number for what I would call the "strut bearing" at the
> top of the REAR suspension for my 93 S4.  The Bentley doesn't really show
> what I remember seeing with the parts removed.  Bentley shows something
> called a "damping ring", but I don't think this is right.
>
> The Russian ETKA that is on-line shows something more like what I see, and
> calls the part I think I need a "bearing ring" with a part number of
> 441-512-331, which is not a U.S. part number and can't be used.
>
> Rod at TPC shows a "Bearing" that is for both front and rear with a part
> number of 4A0-412-249. I would think this part would be different front to
> rear, but don't know.
>
> Reason for the need is that I replaced the rear Bilsteins several months
> ago, and did not replace this "bearing" and now have a serious amount of
> squeaking and noise coming from this area upon suspension
> compression etc. I
> am not sure that my squeaks are from this "bearing", but I understand that
> this part is typically replaced when the shocks are replaced. Can someone
> help me out, I don't want to tear into this AGAIN, only to find
> that I have
> the wrong parts.
>
> As always, TIA
>
> Ron Kirkham